There are a few things this new show from slapstick trio the Three Half Pints isn't short of: energy, silliness and a willingness to look completely foolish.

Set in 16th century Paris, depicted by a colourful wooden set filled with the requisite number of doors and hatches as befits a French farce, the show is loosely inspired by the original Three Musketeers tale – but takes a few stops along the road (especially since one of the cast thinks they're staging Beauty and the Beast).

All of which is fine, and occasionally funny. Performers Richard Franks, Callum Donnelly and Robin Hatcher (aka Dick, Derek and Ernie, characters with varying degrees of stupidity) have a strong on-stage rapport, and the action rarely slows.

But the narrative is lost in a sea of stop-start confusion, which wouldn't really matter if it was sacrificed for some seriously good comedy – but it's not. Slapstick has the capacity to reach people of all ages but the endless reliance on cartoon violence here feels like a step backwards, and the guys' post-show warning to not hit each other at home feels like an empty suggestion that will no doubt fall on deaf ears.

Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 27 Aug (not 21 & 22), 12.45pm, £10–£11 (£9–£10).